Warriors Expedition Leader

The No Barriers Warriors program improves the lives of veterans with disabilities through transformative, curriculum-based expeditions in challenging outdoor environments. Each No Barriers Warriors expedition is designed to push veterans mentally and physically in some of nature’s most incredible wilderness settings. We create a safe space and encourage them to reflect on their past, recognize where they are in the present and then look with positivity to the future. These life-changing experiences are offered at no cost to our veterans and include airfare, meals, gear, and a world-class expedition crew. Each expedition is a three-phased journey that includes preparation for the expedition, the expedition, and post-expedition support and integration into the broader No Barriers Warriors community.

Position Description

No Barriers Warriors Expedition Leaders take groups of injured US veterans on backpacking, mountaineering and rafting expeditions in an effort to empower them to break through barriers, find their inner purpose and contribute their best to the world.

Expeditions at No Barriers Warriors range from basecamp/multi-sport five day trips to two week mountaineering excursions throughout the mountains of the Western United States and beyond. The basecamp/multi-sport trips are based at our Red Feather Lakes, CO campus in northern Colorado and cater to a broad range of ability levels, with a day of whitewater rafting (through a subcontractor) on the Poudre River, a day of rock climbing, and a day of hiking. Mountaineering expeditions typically involve carrying backpacks on a multi-day approach with the purpose of attempting to summit a mountain peak.

Coordinate with office staff from the field using satellite communications

Attend events and meals with sponsors and other No Barriers supporters

Improve upon each trip using feedback from participants and staff

Required Skills and Abilities for all Expedition Leaders:

Ability to be a confident leader- use different leadership styles as appropriate to make effective decisions, give and receive effective feedback

Ability to carry a 50+ pound backpack — ELs are expected to role model how to properly pack a backpack with personal gear, group gear, food, and climbing gear

Excellent physical fitness — Moving through mountainous terrain at elevation while carrying an expedition pack should not be difficult so that ELs can focus on helping participants

Ability to cook food in the backcountry — ELs should be confident in using camp stoves and facilitating group meals

Ability to take initiative to accomplish camp chores — ELs should be the first up in the morning and the last to bed in the evening and able to effectively delegate camp chore tasks to others (i.e. proper camp selection, tent setup, kitchen setup, fetch water, bear-proofing, etc.)

Ability to facilitate the No Barriers curriculum

Ability to drive a 15-passenger van

ELs need not be veterans themselves (although that can be a plus), but they must have strong compassion for, and appreciation of, the men and women who have sacrificed in service to our country

Understand and be able to find ways to assist participants with a variety of injuries, some of which may be unseen. Common injuries among our participants include Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), gunshot and/or shrapnel wounds, limb amputation, and burns.

Required Skills and Abilities for Senior Expedition Leaders:

Wilderness First Responder or higher

Ability to facilitate and manage a top-rope climbing site

Ability to lead participants and junior ELs on 4th and 5th class terrain